The long-awaited leap to the big screen of the successful novel “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” now has a director. Netflix announced this Monday that Anna Kendrick will direct the film adaptation of Taylor Jenkins Reid's acclaimed book, originally published in 2017.

Kendrick, known for her role in “Pitch Perfect” and her Oscar nomination for “Up in the Air,” thus takes on one of the most anticipated projects by readers of the last decade, adding a new and ambitious challenge behind the cameras.

A luxury team behind the project

Along with the direction announcement, Netflix confirmed that Liz Tigelaar, creator, showrunner and executive producer of “Little Fires Everywhere,” will be the screenwriter in charge of shaping the story, with current revisions by Francesca Sloane.

The producing team includes: Liza Chasin (3Dot Productions) and Brad Mendelsohn (Circle of Confusion).

In addition, Taylor Jenkins Reid herself will serve as executive producer alongside Margaret Chernin. It should be remembered that the novel had previously been in development for a series at Freeform, with Ilene Chaiken (The L Word) and Jennifer Beals as executive producers.

What is the story about?

“The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” revolves around an exclusive and iconic star of golden Hollywood who, already in the twilight of her career, recruits the unknown journalist Monique Grant to write her long-awaited memoirs.

Throughout the revealing interview, Evelyn Hugo reveals her private life for the first time: her meteoric rise to fame, her seven marriages, a recurring theme in the tabloid press, and the secrets she has jealously kept behind the scenes, including the real reason why she chose Monique for this final confession.

Although no name for the cast has yet been officially announced, fans have been quick to propose their favorite actresses. Among those most mentioned to play the charismatic Evelyn Hugo are Jessica Chastain, Ana de Armas and Eiza González.

However, Chastain herself flatly ruled out her participation in 2023: she told E! that there is "no chance" she will star in the film as Celia St. James, although she was flattered by the book's "wonderful" fan base.

For their part, both Ana de Armas and Eiza González have shown themselves open to taking on the lead role. “It would be a huge honor,” said González, confessing to being a great admirer of Reid's work.

Taylor Jenkins Reid has become one of the most important publishing phenomena of the moment, with more than 24 million copies sold in 43 languages. Her books have been selected by such influential book clubs as those of Reese Witherspoon and Jenna Bush Hager.